By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) endorsed a 150-megawatt solar farm project which will be constructed at the border of the cities of Bacolod and Bago.

Board member Manuel Frederick Ko, chairman of the SP’s Committee on Environment, said yesterday that they endorsed the renewable energy project during their regular session last February.

The solar farm project will be on a 133.7-hectare property at the boundaries of Bago’s Barangay Tabunan and Bacolod’s Barangay Felisa.

The solar farm will be connected to the power grid through a five-kilometer transmission line from Mansilingan substation in Bacolod.

The firm, Negros Solar PH, secured around 109 hectares of land through long-term land lease agreements.

The land has also been appropriately zoned and key documents including the solar energy service contract, confirmation of commerciality and grid connection agreements are in place.

Ko said the project has yet to secure an endorsement from the village council of Barangay Felisa. However, the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has already given a nod to the project.

He further added the project would be beneficial for the government because they will pay taxes, and better still, if their project is finally energized, their corporate social responsibility programs will also commence and would benefit residents./DGB, WDJ